The announcement on Thursday 11th March that Argyll & Bute Council has agreed to commit £480,000 of funding from their CHORD project towards the delivery of a 3G All Weather Pitch and Changing Rooms on Kinloch Green has been met with delight by the local Sports Council’s Campaign Group and the wider community.
Initial news last week that funding from the project would not be included in Argyll & Bute Council’s Capital Budget for 2011/12 was met with concern by South Kintyre Sports Council members. Further enquiries revealed that the Council proposed to allocate the necessary funding from the £1.2 million allocated to the marina development proposals as part of the Councils CHORD project (Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon) following Council Officers advice that the marina project was not viable. The paper noted that whilst a marina is technically feasible within Campbeltown Harbour, the proposal would not be ‘self financing’ by virtue of high capital costs (£2.7million) and insufficient revenue generation over the term of the project. It added the financial model for the marina proposal demonstrated that neither the capital costs nor an allowance for depreciation are fundable and recommended that Campbeltown CHORD Project Board members allocate £480,000 towards the All Weather Pitch to “match” the funding application of £380,000 submitted to Sportscotland. The outcome of the funding bid to Sportscotland will be known in April.
The paper went on to note “This AWPF proposal, whilst exceptional, presents an opportunity to invest in a viable project with support from Sportscotland. Without the match funding from CHORD (£480k) it is likely that this support (£380k) would be lost. The AWPF will, in part, contribute to the regeneration of town along with the other projects currently ongoing in Campbeltown. If approved this proposal fits with the Government’s Sports Strategy and the Council Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, as outlined in the business case.”
A South Kintyre Sports Council spokesperson said “We are absolutely delighted with the news! The funding by Argyll & Bute Council will go along way to delivering a top class sports facility that Campbeltown and Kintyre so badly needs. The announcement of funding by the Council has also come at the right time as we wait on news of the Stage 2 funding application to SportScotland. This has sent a clear message of the Council’s aspirations to deliver this facility in Campbeltown.”
The Sports Council added “We raised concerns about the initial proposed model of funding and are delighted with the news that our three elected councillors all worked together to ensure the remaining money would not be lost and there will be further investigations into marina provisions. The last thing we wanted was to be in conflict with any other project in Campbeltown but the proposals rubber stamped on Thursday means Campbeltown could see the delivery of both projects when at one stage it was looking like we would get neither. We strongly believe that the delivery of the All Weather Pitch will create a legacy for sport that the CHORD project will recognise in years to come as one of their main successes.”
The proposals will see a full sized pitch erected with flood lighting on Kinloch Green as well as fully refurbished changing rooms. Such a pitch will meet UEFA, FIFA and FA standards.
South Kintyre Sports Council went on to say “Its just great news and we thank everyone for their continued support over the years, especially Councillors Rory Colville, John Semple and Donald Kelly. With the emergence of Rugby and Shinty in the area again added to the long established football community the proposed facility will give our community access to sports facilities all year round – at the weekend the three fixtures were all cancelled including the Pupils match versus HMS Campbeltown which should have been a celebration of the connection of sport to the town but like many other over the years is lost to foul weather.”
Councillor Rory Colville, who has shown relentless support to the campaign, added “While we still await planning permission and the decision of Sportscotland funding I would congratulate the Community as a whole for their tremendous effort, a huge thank you to PMR Leisure Ltd and all A&B Council officers concerned, especially Sandy MacTaggart for his earlier work and laterally Donald MacVicar. South Kintyre Sports Council have been key in delivering this project and I wish to thank Alastair McKinlay who when Councillor for Campbeltown Central had the foresight in supporting them for such an outcome. While we may be the last major town in the Council area to have our own AWP many lessons have been learnt and great improvements made to the playing surface, it is my sincere wish that SKSC will stay involved and assist in the management and long term sustainability of the pitch so that future generations will never be without”
Argyll First Councillor, Donald Kelly said “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the All Weather Pitch Campaign Group for their unstinting commitment and determination, without which, this project may never have reached this stage. I have been delighted to have been able to offer my full support to the project from the outset. The All Weather Pitch will greatly benefit both present and future generations of local sportsmen and women and I look forward in the very near future to seeing the first turf cut on Kinloch Green”.
The Sports Council will provide a further update as soon as news on the stage 2 application is announced. In the meantime it is fingers and toes crossed as the project reaches the final hurdle of a marathon course!
